MLB Monday August 8th Blue Jays at Orioles Betting Preview
Suddenly an Important Game for AL Playoff Positioning
It doesn’t look like Baltimore is going anywhere heading into the August 8th Blue Jays at Orioles betting matchup. The O’s have made just three postseason appearances in the last 25 years but come into Monday’s AL East divisional matchup just two games out of a wild card berth.
Toronto also has their eyes on the playoffs as well as they currently hold on to the top wild card position in the AL. These two teams have met for just one series this season, splitting four games in Toronto from June 13th-16th. The Blue Jays are -136 favorites in the opener with Baltimore at +116.
Up and Down Weekend in the Twin Cities for Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have gone 10-5 since the All-Star break and could only managed a 4-game split this weekend in Minnesota. Toronto picked up a 3-2 win in 10 innings on Sunday but have now been held to 3 runs or less in 4 of their last 6 games.
You wouldn’t think a team this talented would struggle to score recently but the Blue Jays really only have one breakout offensive game in the past week, a 9-3 win over the Twins on Thursday when Toronto had 13 hits. Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (.385) is one of six Toronto batters hitting better than .300 over the past week but the Blue Jays are just 3-3 over that span.
Yusei Kikuchi (4-5, 4.86 ERA) tries to continue a run of solid outings when he starts in the August 8th Blue Jays at Orioles betting contest. The left-hander has allowed 2 ER or less in 4 of his last 5 starts but Baltimore has won six of their last seven home games vs. Southpaw starters.
Orioles Try to Get Back on Track
Baltimore had a five game win streak snapped on Sunday in an 8-1 loss at home to the Pirates as -181 favorites. The Orioles did pick up a 1-0 and a 6-3 win to start the weekend so it was still a series win for Baltimore.
The Orioles were held to 1 run in two of their three games against the Bucs this weekend so there is some cause for concern from the Baltimore offense heading into Monday’s series opener with Toronto. Baltimore has hit .200 as a team vs. Kikuchi, but they tallied 4ER over 4.0 IP against him on June 14th in a 6-5 Orioles win when the Blue Jays were -219 favorites.
Jordan Lyles (8-8, 4.40 ERA) is on the bump for Baltimore on Monday night after allowing just 1 ER total in his last two starts. Lyles has a 2.68 ERA at home on the year compared to 5.70 in 13 road outings.
Free August 8th Blue Jays at Orioles Betting Pick
53% of the betting public likes Baltimore in this matchup. The Orioles have won four straight Monday night games, and are 10-2 in their last 12 overall against a LH starter. The O’s have won 14 of their last 18 home games and although Toronto is 16-5in their last 21 visits to Camden Yards, this is a completely different Baltimore team in 2022.
Free Pick: Orioles +116
